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Kawaan Baker could be a draft-day steal
Posted on 5/15/21 at 12:12 am
Posted on 5/15/21 at 12:12 am
LINK
With the departure of Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints will be entering a new era this upcoming season. In order for the Saints to sustain success, head coach Sean Payton will need to utilize the exciting new talents and a player who is intriguing to fans is Kawaan Baker.
If the Saints want to reach the Super Bowl, there will need to be draft picks that provide immediate impact for the team. Fortunately, it looks like the Saints found several players in this year’s draft who can do that for them. One of the potential steals of this draft was a player New Orleans found in the seventh round.
The Saints drafted wide receiver Kawaan Baker out of South Alabama University in round seven and he could be a really good player for them. Baker possesses a wide range of skills that will definitely draw the attention of the Saints coaching staff, specifically Payton. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com mentioned that Baker has “explosive athleticism” and that will fit nicely in the Saints’ offense.
During his time at South Alabama, Baker hauled in 1,829 yards receiving, 16 touchdowns with an average of 14 yards per reception. At 6’1? and 210 pounds, Baker displayed electrifying playmaking ability using speed and athleticism to find the end zone.
Last season, the Saints offense struggled to find consistency in the wide receiver group, especially with the injury to All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas that kept him on the sidelines for nearly the entire season. Should that happen again, Baker can become an integral piece of the Saints offense due to his routine ability to create separation and produce yards after the catch.
In his final year at South Alabama, Baker caught 70% of his catches with 51 receptions. The versatile playmaker also displayed the ability to create plays in special teams as a kick returner. As the Saints maneuver a change at quarterback, it is essential that there are offensive weapons to aid Jamies Winston and/or Taysom Hill.
Over the Sean Payton era, the New Orleans Saints staff have consistently managed to find great talent in the later rounds of the draft. These players include Marques Colson, Zach Strief, and Thomas Morestead.
If the Saints want to remain elite NFC contenders, Payton must utilize the new additions on the roster, and hopefully, he realizes what he has with Baker and gets him out on the field. This kid could be the steal of the draft.
With the departure of Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints will be entering a new era this upcoming season. In order for the Saints to sustain success, head coach Sean Payton will need to utilize the exciting new talents and a player who is intriguing to fans is Kawaan Baker.
If the Saints want to reach the Super Bowl, there will need to be draft picks that provide immediate impact for the team. Fortunately, it looks like the Saints found several players in this year’s draft who can do that for them. One of the potential steals of this draft was a player New Orleans found in the seventh round.
The Saints drafted wide receiver Kawaan Baker out of South Alabama University in round seven and he could be a really good player for them. Baker possesses a wide range of skills that will definitely draw the attention of the Saints coaching staff, specifically Payton. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com mentioned that Baker has “explosive athleticism” and that will fit nicely in the Saints’ offense.
During his time at South Alabama, Baker hauled in 1,829 yards receiving, 16 touchdowns with an average of 14 yards per reception. At 6’1? and 210 pounds, Baker displayed electrifying playmaking ability using speed and athleticism to find the end zone.
Last season, the Saints offense struggled to find consistency in the wide receiver group, especially with the injury to All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas that kept him on the sidelines for nearly the entire season. Should that happen again, Baker can become an integral piece of the Saints offense due to his routine ability to create separation and produce yards after the catch.
In his final year at South Alabama, Baker caught 70% of his catches with 51 receptions. The versatile playmaker also displayed the ability to create plays in special teams as a kick returner. As the Saints maneuver a change at quarterback, it is essential that there are offensive weapons to aid Jamies Winston and/or Taysom Hill.
Over the Sean Payton era, the New Orleans Saints staff have consistently managed to find great talent in the later rounds of the draft. These players include Marques Colson, Zach Strief, and Thomas Morestead.
If the Saints want to remain elite NFC contenders, Payton must utilize the new additions on the roster, and hopefully, he realizes what he has with Baker and gets him out on the field. This kid could be the steal of the draft.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 12:26 am to GMoney2600
It would say that WR room is completely up for grabs and there could be guys starting at WR that we have never even heard of week 1. Who knows? I would say Thomas, Smith and Calloway are locks and Harris will take one spot as he’s the punt/kick returner too. That last WR spot on the active roster could be anyone. Right now if I had to bet who it would be I’d take Lil’ Jordan Humphrey. It’s time for some young guys to step up.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 3:20 am to GMoney2600
Baker is definitely going to be that guy that we fall in love with during training camp.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 7:15 am to LSUJD_04
quote:
Harris will take one spot as he’s the punt/kick returner too.
Harris was coming on as a receiver last year in the playoffs but he has a hard time staying healthy at his size. We can barely keep him in the game as just a returner. Losing him against the bucs really hurt us bc he was killing them on a special teams. Just a point, not really anything we can do about it. He is still a good player
This post was edited on 5/15/21 at 7:17 am
Posted on 5/15/21 at 7:38 am to Froman
This 100%
The hype is already there so we are going to hear a lot about him during camp
The hype is already there so we are going to hear a lot about him during camp
Posted on 5/15/21 at 7:54 am to GMoney2600
Not addressing the #2 receiver position early in the draft was a major mistake. The Saints have been making do with that position for years now and it is just not good enough.
That spot is wide open for the taking, so if Baker is good enough, he will have no trouble beating out the others. I know many are high on Callaway and Harris, but durability is part of the position. You have to be on the field to make plays, especially when it’s playoff time. Smith is a bust. We keep waiting for him to break out and he never does. Reminds me of Brett Perriman when he was with the Saints. First ballot member of the Saints all-potential Hall of Fame. He averages two receptions per game. That’s pathetic. Thomas is setting reception records on the other side of the field because Smith can’t get open.
So, please, Kawaan Baker, be the man. The door is wide open for you!
That spot is wide open for the taking, so if Baker is good enough, he will have no trouble beating out the others. I know many are high on Callaway and Harris, but durability is part of the position. You have to be on the field to make plays, especially when it’s playoff time. Smith is a bust. We keep waiting for him to break out and he never does. Reminds me of Brett Perriman when he was with the Saints. First ballot member of the Saints all-potential Hall of Fame. He averages two receptions per game. That’s pathetic. Thomas is setting reception records on the other side of the field because Smith can’t get open.
So, please, Kawaan Baker, be the man. The door is wide open for you!
This post was edited on 5/15/21 at 7:56 am
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:03 am to SpqrTiger
quote:
The Saints have been making do with that position for years now and it is just not good enough.
Depends on how you feel about Brees' arm the last 3 years. If you think his arm strength had deteriorated so much that the entire offense had to be played within 15 yards of the LOS then there isn't a huge reason to believe that our struggles going forward will look exactly like they did the last three years.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:08 am to SpqrTiger
quote:
Smith is a bust. We keep waiting for him to break out and he never does.
I was probably Smith’s biggest critic before last year. I don’t think it is fair to call him a bust. He was a late 3rd round pick and has been a quality depth receiver. He steps up and makes a big play from time to time but will probably never be a true #2. It is also possible that Brees has hurt his game. He is probably a little better as a moderate to deep threat receiver than a inside of 20 type of guy.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:18 am to GMoney2600
Leader in the clubhouse for the Annual Onome Ojo Saints Training Camp Overhyped Player of the Year.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 8:57 am to Mpd31
Smith will be on the field a lot cause Payton loves his blocking. I think he has a good year. Should get a lot more deep attempts coming his way. He looked damn good and clutch against Tampa.
Lot of successful teams don’t have two #1 WRs, including Saints teams of the past.
Lot of successful teams don’t have two #1 WRs, including Saints teams of the past.
This post was edited on 5/15/21 at 9:02 am
Posted on 5/15/21 at 9:53 am to SpqrTiger
Smith’s isn’t a bust because he’s not the WR2 like everyone wanted him to be. He’s still a great 3rd or 4th option who is not afraid to go over the middle one little bit like a lot of receivers are and he’s still got enough speed to go deep too. His best attribute is his blocking on the outside though and that’s huge for Kamara’s success. He’s also a great team guy who isn’t a me first personality like Brandin Cooks was. He’s basically our new Brandon Coleman.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 10:06 am to SpqrTiger
I worry about this too. JW trying to force the ball to MT scares me
Posted on 5/15/21 at 10:51 am to SpqrTiger
Smith has the 11th most yards and the 2nd most TDs out of the WRs in his draft class. And he’s missed 8 games to injury. 80% of his catches have gone for first downs. Great effort in the run game. That’s great ROI for a 3rd round guy at a position with a high bust rate
Baker screams special teamer to me, at least to start. 210 lb, 4.4 guy, 21 reps on the bench. Big, strong, fast. Going to need some polish to see the field at WR
Baker screams special teamer to me, at least to start. 210 lb, 4.4 guy, 21 reps on the bench. Big, strong, fast. Going to need some polish to see the field at WR
Posted on 5/15/21 at 10:59 am to GynoSandberg
Draft picks have great college resume that is why they get drafted. It doesn't mean the player will make the team. Saints WR corp was already in place before the draft. I don't think they needed one.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 11:09 am to Load Toad
Thomas
Smith
Callaway
Harris
^ locks
Juwan Johnson and Lil Jordan are your big bodied options
Baker, Jalen Mccleskey, Jake Lampman are slot options
Easop Winston appears to have a similar profile to Callaway. Can line up at every WR spot
I reckon special teams will play a big factor on who makes the roster. Wouldn’t be surprised if we bring in another vet WR
Smith
Callaway
Harris
^ locks
Juwan Johnson and Lil Jordan are your big bodied options
Baker, Jalen Mccleskey, Jake Lampman are slot options
Easop Winston appears to have a similar profile to Callaway. Can line up at every WR spot
I reckon special teams will play a big factor on who makes the roster. Wouldn’t be surprised if we bring in another vet WR
Posted on 5/15/21 at 11:17 am to Load Toad
quote:
Draft picks have great college resume that is why they get drafted.
Baker played on a team with mediocre QB play that also struggled to pass protect.
basically, he produced when he got the ball.
he lined up in the slot and on the outside.
quote:
Saints WR corp was already in place before the draft. I don't think they needed one.
besides Michael Thomas WR 1 there isn't any wR's with WR2 numbers.
Trequan has 80 catches through 3 seasons.
There is Harris and Callaway who are both talented but have limited experience.
I mean we were even inserting Taysom at WR at times so what does that tell you? Not a knock on him I'm glad we have but come on...
This post was edited on 5/15/21 at 11:19 am
Posted on 5/15/21 at 11:37 am to GynoSandberg
quote:
Going to need some polish to see the field at WR
thing is South Alabama's offense could struggle tremendously at times.
I doubt Baker is crafty route runner but I think he could develop into one .
he does damage once he gets the ball.
i'm sure he could use some work on routes South's offense wasn't a juggernaut but he did more than anyone else maybe except Jalen Tolbert who will get drafted next year in the mid-to-late rounds.'
Gerald Everett is the only other South player drafted and the Rams took him in the 2nd round which I never understood.
This post was edited on 5/15/21 at 11:38 am
Posted on 5/15/21 at 2:08 pm to LooseCannon22282
quote:
Gerald Everett is the only other South player drafted and the Rams took him in the 2nd round which I never understood.
Well they have only had a team since 2009 and didn’t join the FBS until 2012.
Posted on 5/15/21 at 2:34 pm to Mpd31
I think he was confused as to why Everett was worthy of a 2nd round pick
Posted on 5/15/21 at 3:19 pm to Mpd31
????????
I was happy to see Everett picked but stunned he went to the Rams in the 2nd round.
I don't need a history refresh on south man I went to school there and one of the few that actually supports the program.
I was happy to see Everett picked but stunned he went to the Rams in the 2nd round.
I don't need a history refresh on south man I went to school there and one of the few that actually supports the program.
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